The next day, Morgan was nowhere to be found. Nearl and Dobermann took emergency command while the other commanders did their jobs, but the morale was decreased dramatically. No one knew where the Doctor was, but a search party was sent out to find him. Yokai said that he had lost sight of Sirius during the catapult attack, but he didn't see him afterwards. They doubted he was dead, otherwise they would have found him already or the enemies would declare it they had killed him. This gave the Operators of Rhodes Island a little hope, but not much. Amiya was frantic, but was being calmed down by Shu, who assured that the Doctor had been through worse before. Looking over at the organization's distress, Yokai decided to take matters into his own hands. He walked over to Noctis, wondering if he had come to the same idea as him.
"Noc."
"So it's time? You know it will be difficult, right?"
"So you knew what I was going to ask. Seems like working together for the past five years helped."
"It sure did, though the old says were more lenient on us. Do you have any leads where he might be?"
"Just one, but we may be able to find a hint there. I saw the direction he was running. We also saw the catapult craters on the floor. If I'm right, he probably fell over the hill."
"Back to that hill point again? We lost that one, but we may be able to sneak in there."
"All I need is five minutes, can you give me that?"
"I can buy you a load of time, but stop making it sound cliché. Three minutes. I know you can do it in that time."
"Fair enough. Shall we get going then?"
"Let's go, before Nearl or Dobermann spot us. Also, bring the Penguin Logistics brat. She may be useful in some way."
"Exusiai? She's been plenty helpful already, though we may need some sort of persuasion. Do you have any apple pie?"
"What the heck kind of question is that? Does it look like I have any apple pie?"
"Guess all we can promise her apple pies later when we reach home, but we need her services now."
They both walked over to Exusiai, intent on convincing her to go on their trip. Apparently, they didn't need to convince her of anything, since Sirius already owed her apple pies. The ones he never gave her despite promising them.
"So, Exusiai, are you in?"
"Of course! I can't let a debt go unpaid!"
"Let's get going then, before we get spotted."
They made it out before the attendance check and hurried out to the hill, where there were a few reunion soldiers guarding the area. This was no time to play kind. Noctis pulled out his dual handguns and equipped them with silencers. If they didn't rescue the Doctor or find him, more lives would be lost. Noctis gave one last look at Yokai, just to affirm. He nodded in response.
"So this is it for now. See you later, Yokai."
"Be sure to make it back. Don't do anything too risky."
"Heh. Right. Bush camping has always been my thing. Now get ready to run."
There were a total of 32 Reunion soldiers on the campsite, but probably more will arrive once Noctis caused a scene. Yokai got ready to run, holding a handgun as well. Noctis took careful aim at one and fired, causing one of the Reunion soldiers to drop dead while the others suddenly panicked with surprise. It was just as he had thought; they were all unorganized. Noctis then threw a few smoke grenades and after half a minute or so, Yokai made a run for the for the field with Exusiai to where he thought the Doctor might be.
"Exusiai! I need you to back up Noctis! I'll be looking for any signs of the Doctor!"
"Uh... I don't think he needs any help.."
"....of course he doesn't. Come along then. Look for any traces!"
See, what Exusiai saw at that time was Noctis, but also a veteran gunslinger. Not a single shot missed, but he wasn't being hit by anything either. Also a master camper as well, killing any enemy coming up the hill. Of course Noctis was going to be fine. At least until he ran out of ammo. That meant that Yokai had better hurry. Yokai remembered where he last saw the Doctor and looked at where the catapult crater was. Looking down the hill and into the fields, he saw something glimmer. Was that...a watch? He quickly ran down to the field and picked it up. This was no doubt Sirius's. He had seen it many times when they passed the halls.
"Exusiai, call Noctis over! We found something!"
"A-aye! Noc! We got a lead!"
Noc heard and gave a nod, running to them while dropping a flash-bang grenade onto the Reunion camp as he ran, blinding everyone behind him as they started to regroup. Yokai ran ahead through the grass field, which he saw was bent and followed the trail as Noctis ran to catch up. Yokai nodded at him when he caught up, signaling him the direction of the bent grass trail.
"He's most likely captured, Noctis. Let's see how far we can go."
"Agreed. Might as well since we're here, though we'll get a long lecture from Dobermann and Nearl for sure."
Yokai snickered, knowing fully well what would happen. Maybe it would be safer to not return at all and go freelancing once again. Noc saw his expression and nodded with a smirk. That sounded well, but they had to find the Doctor first. Exusiai had forged ahead already, meaning that they should quickly follow along. Time for them to look for the Doctor.
Meanwhile...
Morgan blinked a few times, trying to get his vision back. He had woken up...a few minutes ago? He knew that he had been away for more than a say already, but he kept on getting injected by something. Just like that. Before he knew it, he would be unconscious again until a few hours later. However, when he got his bearings again, he saw that he was tied to a wooden pole in the middle of a Reunion crowd with a huge bonfire before him.
"Oh? So you're finally awake! We've all been waiting for you!"
Morgan looked at the sound of the voice. It was him... Mephisto. Morgan gritted his teeth and held back from trying to lash out. It was futile even if he managed to break free from the ropes binding him.
"Now now, don't look like that. We're all here to have a good time except for you! Do you know how many of the Reunion want to kill you here right now? All of them! We'll orchestrate your death tonight!"
Mephisto gave a hysterical laugh and took out a knife and traced it along Morgan's body. What in the world was he planning? There had to be a way out of this. There had to be. Mephisto saw the desperation in his eyes and laughed even harder and began to taunt him.
"Oh? Is this little worm trying to escape? Don't worry, you'll escape soon. From your body, that is! And guess who will be doing the honors? Talulah herself! She will shed your blood and crush everyone and begin a new life for the Infected. Once you're out of the way, there is nothing that can stop her!"
Not even a few moments later, there was a voice speaking from behind a building, a commanding one at that, but Sirius recognized it instantly, with fear and panic in his heart. No.. She shouldn't be here. Then..
"What is it Mephisto? You better have something good to tell me to come all that wa- ......"
Talulah stopped and had a surprised look on her face, which then promptly turned to shock. Mephisto turned to Talulah with a crazed grin on his face. A huge group of Reunion Infected had gathered to watch the scene, some even crying out for blood.
"Well then, leader. I have brought you the Doctor. Now kill him so we can all get our revenge."
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Author's Note
Warfarin: I think I should make an ending theme song like in an anime.
Ayame: ......focus on your edits.
Warfarin: But I want to have an end theme!
Ayame: No
Warfarin: Listen to "Torches - Aimer"! That'll be used as the end!
Ayame: ....
